Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 30:60

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 30:60
"And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell."

This chapter is the story of Korihor, an anti-Christ. In the end he is mute because he sought after a sign. Then he begged for his food, and was trampled to death by the Zoramites. People may think they can make a deal with the devil, but in the end when he is done with you, he will chew you up and spit you out. There is no loyalty by that evil master. He is powerless to save you in any way.

"Notably, at the last day the adversary “will not support” those who followed him anyway. He cannot. Jesus will triumph majestically, and the adversary’s clever constructs, “pleasing to the carnal mind,” will also collapse, and “the fall thereof will be exceedingly great”.
(Neal A. Maxwell, "How Choice a Seer!", Oct 2003 General Conference)

Day 3474

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 7:8, 23

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 7:8, 23
"But behold, the Lord God poured in his Spirit into my soul, insomuch that I did confound him in all his words.
And it came to pass that peace and the love of God was restored again among the people; and they searched the scriptures, and hearkened no more to the words of this wicked man."

Jacob is confronted by Sherem, an anti-Christ. Sherem sought to overthrow the doctrine of Christ, and lead away the hearts of the people. In these two verses I see how Jacob was able to overcome him. First, it was by having the Spirit to be with him. He was given the Spirit in order to confound Sherem in his words. He knew what questions to ask and to detect deception. Once Sherem had been overcome peace and the love of God was restored because the people searched the scriptures. They had been deceived once because they did not understand them like Jacob had said to Sherem.

"And I said unto him: Believest thou the scriptures? And he said, Yea.
And I said unto him: Then ye do not understand them; for they truly testify of Christ. Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ.
(Jacob 7:10-11)

Before Sherem dies he testifies that he had lied that he had believed the scriptures, for they truly do testified of Christ.

"And he said: I fear lest I have committed the unpardonable sin, for I have lied unto God; for I denied the Christ, and said that I believed the scriptures; and they truly testify of him. And because I have thus lied unto God I greatly fear lest my case shall be awful; but I confess unto God."
(Jacob 7:19)

It is no wonder that the people saw the importance of searching the scriptures and understanding them after this event. It's just as important for us today to do the same.

Day 3411

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 John 1:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 John 1:7-8
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward."

This made me think of how its only Tuesday and twice now this week I have had friends tell me stories of how they were approached from seemingly "good" members that are delving into really strange things, and tried to make them join too. As I listened all I could think of is how ignorant these individuals were of what lessons are learned from the Old and New Testaments. God warned his people over and over to not get involved in worshipping these false gods. It's littered with needing to destroy their groves were they worshipped. Just like the early church Satan is working overtime to destroy, and we have to be so careful. Ultimately, Satan did win and the apostasy overcame the primitive church. The difference is this time the entire church will not apostatize, but that doesn't mean everyone survives. We have had warnings in our day.

"Behold, verily I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has given the adversary power; but behold such shall be reclaimed;
But the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will; and wo unto them who are cut off from my church, for the same are overcome of the world.
Wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me."
(Doctrine and Covenants 50:7-9)

When someone says they have knowledge to share and it sounds nothing like you've been taught in church you need to do as the Lord advised.

"Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained?"
(Doctrine and Covenants 50:13)

If they have not been called by the proper authority and have stewardship over this, then its best to run.

“Let us beware of false prophets and false teachers, both men and women, who are self-appointed declarers of the doctrines of the Church and who seek to spread their false gospel and attract followers by sponsoring symposia, books, and journals whose contents challenge fundamental doctrines of the Church. Beware of those who speak and publish in opposition to God’s true prophets and who actively proselyte others with reckless disregard for the eternal well-being of those whom they seduce. Like Nehor and Korihor in the Book of Mormon, they rely on sophistry to deceive and entice others to their views. …
“Perhaps most damningly, they deny Christ’s Resurrection and Atonement, arguing that no God can save us. They reject the need for a Savior. In short, these detractors attempt to reinterpret the doctrines of the Church to fit their own preconceived views, and in the process deny Christ and His messianic role.”
(M. Russell Ballard, "Beware of False Prophets and False Teachers", Oct 1999 General Conference)

Day 3324

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 8:24-25

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 8:24-25

"And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand."

This part of Daniel's vision would not be fulfilled until the "last end", or end times. As I read it I thought "I know who this person is, it sure sounds like him." I noticed I marked this verse as having been my favorite verse in the past. I looked and almost 4.5 years ago, on 28 Feb 2019 I wrote about it. I was shocked to see then that I wrote we "probably wouldn't understand it completely until it is fulfilled". A lot has sure happened in 4.5 years. What's really sad is today I showed my son another article about how this person has caused people to not only abandoned his ship, they are also abandoning their faith and any belief in God, as they get away from him. That type of behavior has all the ear-marks of being anti-Christ. Of course, I am not a prophet, so I'm not going to say this person's name. What I do know is if its not him, then it will be someone very much like him.

Day 3017

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 12:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 12:8

"The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted."

I pondered on the purpose of bringing vile men and women to justice. When they are instead lifted up, praised and exalted, seeming to be above the law, the wickedness of the people increases. They become a cancer that pollutes the people. You cannot begin to reach the heart of the people, unless they come to see them for what they are, the vilest of men.

This made me go back to one of the first anti-Christ's mentioned in the Book of Mormon. Sherem flatters the people and has a following. Then he seeks out the prophet Jacob and contends with him. Sherem asks for a sign and the one God gives him is to smite him and he dies. On his death bed Sherem does confess to the people what he had done. But it was only through Sherem being removed that the people could recognize the power of God, repent and have peace restored to them again.

"And when the multitude had witnessed that he spake these things as he was about to give up the ghost, they were astonished exceedingly; insomuch that the power of God came down upon them, and they were overcome that they fell to the earth.

Now, this thing was pleasing unto me, Jacob, for I had requested it of my Father who was in heaven; for he had heard my cry and answered my prayer.

And it came to pass that peace and the love of God was restored again among the people; and they searched the scriptures, and hearkened no more to the words of this wicked man."

(Jacob 7:21-23)

Day 2649

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 10:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 10:1-2

"And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not.

And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord."

This chapter actually answered a question I had, regarding those in apostasy that do things inside the temple that would pollute it. I wondered if the temple would have to be rededicated in such a case? In this, I see it is the offender that dies, at least spiritually. I have seen that happen so the cleansing is the removal of the person from the temple. Not that they had power to make the house of the Lord defiled and unusable for those that remain faithful. That actually gives me great peace.

Day 2259

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 52:13, 19, 21

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 52:13, 19, 21

"And thus he was endeavoring to harass the Nephites, and to draw away a part of their forces to that part of the land, while he had commanded those whom he had left to posses the cities which he had taken, that they should also harass the Nephites on the borders by the east sea, and should take possession of their lands as much as it was in their power, according to the power of their armies. 

And in the commencement of the twenty and eighth year, Moroni and Teancum and the many chief captains held a council of war - what they should do to cause the Lamanites to come out against them to battle; or that they might by some means flatter them out of their strongholds, that they might gain advantage over them and take them and take again the city of Mulek.

And it came to pass that Moroni, having no hopes of meeting them upon fair grounds, therefore, he resolved upon a plan that he might decoy the Lamanites out of their strongholds. 

There were three words that stood out to me in the this chapter: harass, flatter and decoy. These were tactics used by the Lamanites and the Nephites in battle. The Lamanites used harassment, the Nephites used flattery and decoy. So I pondered on why those words and tactics were important for me to understand. 

I have experienced being harassed and the best method of preservation is using flattery and a decoy to defuse the issue. What I am basically doing is feeding their pride. For it appears that a person that harasses others is a person that has an issue with pride. 

Then I thought about how antichrists and others that were wicked in the Book of Mormon used flattery, so was this not a good thing to use?

Describing Sherem, an antichrist.

"And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil.  

(Jacob 7: 4)

Description of the Alma the younger and sons of Mosiah before they repented.

"Now the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being called Alma was numbered among them, he being called Alma, after his father; nevertheless, he became a very wicked and an idolatrous man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities."

(Mosiah 27:8)

Pahoran describing the kingmen to Moroni.

"And it is those who have sought to take away the judgment-seat from me that have been the cause of this great iniquity; for they have used great flattery, and they have led away the hearts of many people, which will be the cause of sore affliction among us; they have withheld our provisions, and have daunted our freeman that they have not come unto you."

(Alma 61:4)

As I pondered on this and use of flattery and decoy I realized it is only by pride that the tactic works. Sherem, Alma the younger and the kingmen were only successful because there were people the bought into it and were overcome by it. That leads me to believe that though the use of it can be a tactic in battle against those harassing and causing harm, what is needed is the humility and spirit to recognize it for what it is. It has its purpose. The righteous are not using it to lead people astray and carefully down to hell. They are using it to not have evil overcome them and a means of escape. The key is if you have lost the spirit you are on the wrong side of it.

Day 1910

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 30:25

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 30:25
"Ye say that this people is a guilty and a fallen people, because of the transgression of a parent. Behold, I say that a child is not guilty because of its parents."

I had the hardest time finding which verse is my favorite today. That is because this chapter is so very rich with Alma dealing with Korihor, the anti-christ. I see so many parallels to our day, for our land is possessed with anti-christ's. This chapter also shows the signs that can lead a person that belongs to the church of God to fall away. So with that I selected this verse to ponder on because it is a snare towards that downward progression.

I have this in my notes on this scripture.

"Sometimes others claim that Latter-day Saints believe something that we don't believe. They claim that the false belief is false and then show that it is false. It has nothing to do with what we really believe but is an attempt to make us seem to be in error. Korihor did this to Giddonah: "This argument is called a straw man. That is, he attributed to Giddonah something that Giddonah does not believe - the idea that children inherit guilt through Adam's transgression. Korihor knows that he cannot fight truth fairly and come off victorious, so he attributes bad doctrine to Giddonah, a straw man to which he can give a good verbal licking."
(Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet, Sustaining and Defending the Faith [1985], 90)

I am so familiar with this tactic because I have a straw man that loves to come around and cause chaos. The only way to defeat them is to not respond to their invitation. This is exactly what we see happen in this chapter. After this and other lies are made by Korihor the high priest and chief judge do the right thing, "they would not make any reply to his words" (verse 29). Korihor is then bound and delivered to Alma, the chief judge. I find so many important steps in this. First, it shows the importance of knowing what true doctrine is, for if we do not, then the straw man could add confusion on what a person believes. Claiming your faith believes something when it doesn't, then you begin to open the door to doubts. The second is not to contend with such a person. Why? because the spirit will leave as false doctrine and lies are contentiously batted around you. It takes spiritual maturity to not jump in the midst of the fray. It is only pride that will make you think that you can win this battle. Leave such a person in the hands of the Lord, be it his judgment or those in authority, for this is what you are dealing with. For the anti-christ is hardly in a position to hear truth.

"Behold, I know that thou believest, but thou art possessed with a lying spirit, and ye have put off the Spirit of God that it may have no place in you; but the devil has power over you, and he doth carry you about, working devices that he may destroy the children of God."
(Alma 30:42)

Korihor then makes the grave mistake before Alma asking for a sign that there is a God (verse 48). I have two quotes on this verse about those that seek a sign. The first is by the Prophet Joseph Smith, "Whenever you see a man seeking after a sign, you may set it down that he is an adulterous man"
(History of the Church, 3:385)

The other I think is so pertinent to that slippery slope.

"President Joseph F. Smith (1838-1918) further explained the dangers of depending on miracles of our faith: "Show me Latter-day Saints who have to feed upon miracles, signs and visions in order to keep them steadfast in the Church, and I will show you members of the Church who are not in good standing before God, and who are walking in slippery paths"
(Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 7).

Had you ever thought of a person feeding on miracles, signs and visions being parallel to an anti-christ seeking a sign?

The last couple of days I have been somewhat obsessed with this news story involving people that claimed to be members of my faith. I was fascinated by this interview given by their friend, and that slippery slope that has lead this couple down to hell. A connecting thread was attending conferences and seminars that dwelt on the subject of the last days. They shared their personal revelations, dreams, and near death experiences. The weaker among them began to feed on the claims of others and take their "experiences" as new doctrine. I went back and read Elder M. Russell Ballard's, Oct 2017 General Conference talk "The Trek Continues!" and found all these warnings signs that applied to their situation. Now I see in this chapter and the quote by President Joseph F. Smith that there is true danger in feeding on the sensational, even if they are signs of your faith. The problem is thriving on them to keep your spirit going. In such a condition they have not entered into the rest of the Lord. They are open to becoming an anti-christ.

Day 1888

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 1:22-24

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 1:22-24
"Nevertheless, there were many among them who began to be proud, and began to contend warmly with their adversaries, even unto blows; yea, they would smite one another with their fists.
Now this was in the second year of the reign of Alma, and it was a cause of much affliction to the church; yea, it was the cause of much trial with the church.
For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out, that they were remembered no more among the people of God. And also many withdrew themselves from among them."

After what I have seen today, I think we are at the verge of this. When you think you are the law unto yourself, the spirit and reasoning withdraw from you. Then it doesn't take long to be sifted, because you do it to yourself.

Day 1859

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 7:6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 7:6-7
"He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

So interesting. Right before I read my scriptures tonight I was watching a news channel investigative video on a preacher of another faith. He absolutely mirrored an example of this verse. What shocked me was the twisting of scriptures to justify his accumulation of wealth. He even said the bible was full of the promises of wealth, and the blessing of Abraham was wealth. Nothing of covenants and eternal life, the end reward was money. I usually don't watch such things, but I was amazed at hearing his words for he was very slick and beguiling and full of flattery.

In fact at the end he grabbed the report's hands and said he wanted to pray for her. He's being all flowery and even mentions how it thrilled him, to have his face on their show. He ends in this adoration of himself and never closed the prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Truly what god was he praying to? His were empty hollow words, echoing "this people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." 

What I pondered on after hearing him was how dangerous a false prophet like him would be for people that do not read the scriptures. For man's doctrine and commandments would be pleasing to the carnal mind, and not to the ears of faith. They teach my will be done and not the Father's. The prophesy of Isaiah and of Jesus Christ are flourishing among us today.

Day 1539

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 7:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 7:15
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

There is so much in the Sermon on the Mount that I have marked, noted and crossed referenced. I asked myself again what is my deepest concern right now? It has to be this verse on false prophets. I know who the prophet of God is, it's Russell M. Nelson. I know there are apostles on the earth again. They are the messengers from the Father to keep me on the right path. I know this by their fruits and through the spirit.

What is a concern to me is everyone else. I have witnessed those I admired fall away, and lead others away. I have lost the desire to put people on a peddle stool. I no longer think because you were right before that you can still be right. I have replaced it with watching my sources and where I am reading things. I love the scriptures they are foremost where I ponder and learn. Next are the conference addresses by the prophets and apostles. Then when I read anything else I try to find a scripture that supports it, and really listen to the spirit if something seems off. Even Anti-Christs can quote scripture.

It is by finding what is off that I learn so much. That does not mean I look for or try to dispute false doctrine. I'm like Joseph in the grasp of Potiphar's wife. I flee when I come across it. It is from the fleeing that I am brought then into the light. So that questioning of sources is really good. I cannot tell you how many Facebook groups or websites I have followed and then left because it just goes off course. I hold sacred the spirit of God within me, and guard it so it does not leave. Without it I know I can be deceived.

Day 1511

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 6:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Micah 6:14
"Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver; and that which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword."

I had an interesting experience the other night and this verse reminded me of it. Someone that left my faith brought up religion to me. They gave me an earful's of all the "false doctrine" and scriptures I understand wrong. I think they unloaded on me because they thought this was their opportunity to do so. They raged and told me exactly where my faith was wrong for not believing what other Christians do. Now I know I can't talk religion to them because all they want to do is contend, and I won't participate in that. Loosing the spirit by contention is of more concern to me than winning any battle over scriptures. Even if I wanted to, this person would have never allowed me to rebut them anyways, so why start. I'm ok letting others believe whatever they want, just give me the same right to be left alone.

As they raged I just looked at them, because they left my faith to find another Christian religion. Now they think all religions are man made and stem from paganism. So, they proudly have no faith at all. They wanted me to believe something they didn't believe and were angry about it? Then as if reading my mind they said as they left the room. "Of course I don't believe any of that because religion is man made and I have no religion." How can they be angry with me over something they don't even believe and they know it?

Basically, they wanted me to eat of something that wouldn't fill me. They had nothing to deliver me. Yet they were angry when I wouldn't accept what they didn't believe was true. They were willing to pick up the sword to contend over something that didn't even fill them. Their only aim was to destroy my faith and leave me with nothing. I am just grateful I didn't pick up that sword and let them destroy my peace.

Day 1474

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 8:24-25

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 8:24-25
"And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy man: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand."

The vision that Daniel had will not be fulfilled until the end times. Which probably means we won't understand it completely until it is fulfilled. Rather scary to think of the man with all this power that is obviously anti-Christ and a worker of secret combinations. It is incomprehensible for someone to "destroy wonderfully" and "by peace", his target being the mighty and holy people. No wonder Daniel was made sick after this vision. He had experienced people affected by the king's "policy" which caused people to celebrate, yet led to certain death for many. I would think that for saints to survive these times you would need the faith of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

Day 1433